World Music CD Reviews Greater Latin America

In only their second release in the five years since lead guitarist Herbert Vianna's near-fatal accident, the band soldiers on with a little help from various collaborators. The album explores some of the band's early influences and also shows where they are now. On the slow-tempo "Passo Lento" (Slow Pace), co-writer Nando Reis fills in on acoustic guitar on a song that talks of a man who hides his pain from others. Manu Chao guests on "Soledad Cidadão" by reciting verses from his "Me Llaman Calle." The ska-inflected "2A" speaks of the uncertainty of falling in love again while still having hope of moving on after a heartbreak. In one of the best moments, Paralamas covers Chico Buarque's ironic "Deus Lhe Pague" (May God Reward You) with additional production by Apollo 9, who adds computerized loops and additional keyboards. Listen also to the very hummable "De Perto" (Close By), a song about the happiness realizing that true love can happen.